Upcoming Opportunities To Taste

I do love this time of year, both because spring in Dallas is always so beautiful and watching trees and flowers begin to pop just brings a smile to your face, and it is down time for many wineries so their top brass can travel to wine loving cities, like ours, bringing their tasty juice with them while hosting various wine dinners and tasting opportunities around town. Here are a few coming up in the next few weeks.

If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet do so now for Cotes du Coeur International Fine Wine Auction and Celebrity Chef Dinner. The annual event, the largest gala fundraiser for The American Heart Association, takes place Saturday night, April 6th, and features not only many of our favorite chefs in town, including Chef Chair Richard Chamberlain along with many of his buddies, like Jim “Sevy” Severson, Dean Fearing, Kent Rathbun and David Holben, but a gathering of incredible winemakers and wineries, including Adelsheim, Ehler’s Estate, Siduri, Hall, Merry Edwards and Revana. Ticket information and additional details here.

If you love David Adelsheim’s wine as much as I do, and would like to get a little one on one time with him before the Cotes du Coeur event, join him on Thursday, April 4 for a wine dinner and pairing at Salum. Adelsheim celebrated their 40th anniversary last year of making their stellar, award winning Pinot Noir in Willamette Valley, making David one of the fathers of the region and one of the very best at his craft. The dinner is $100 per person, reservations required, 214-252-9604.

Sunday, April 7th, Brenda and Clay Cockerell of Coquerel Family Wines host Clive Coates, highly decorated Master of Wine and Author, for a Burgundy wine dinner at Lakewood Country Club. Chef William Koval will pair a variety of wines from the Burgundy region of France with his French inspired delicacies that will keep this author of “The Wines of Burgundy” and “The Wines of Bordeaux” talking all night. The dinner is $185 per person and pre-paid reservations are required, 214-530-5210.

Monday, April 8th winemaker Janet Myers of Franciscan Estate and Mount Veeder Winery will be in town for a special wine dinner and pairing at The Place at Perry’s and the menu looks fantastic – Niman Ranch Center Cut Ribeye paired with Mount Veeder 2008 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and 2008 Franciscan Magnificat…I’m sold. The dinner is $95 per person, reservations required, 214-871-9991.

And, though it is a bit ahead of time, this is one to add to the calendar – May 1 all of the Del Frisco Double Eagle Steak Houses across the country will host a pre-release party for the 2008 Penfolds Grange. Penfolds Grange has become one of the most prized wines from Australia, helping put the winery on the fine wine map and displaying how special the Australian terroir is for growing quality Shiraz. The 2008 Grange was recently awarded a perfect 100 point rating by The Wine Advocate. Chefs in all 10 of the Del Frisco’s restaurants across the country will create a 5-course meal for the event, featuring the 2008 Grange paired with Porcini Dusted Beef Tenderloin with Butter Milk Blue and Fig Melt, Grilled Fiddle Heads and Red Wine-Mint Gastrique co-created by Corporate Chef Thomas Dritsas and our own Chef David Holben of the Dallas Del Frisco’s. The dinner is $200 per person, reservations required and can be made here.

And for those really planning ahead who also really love wine, the 33rd annual Auction Napa Valley presented by Napa Valley Vintners takes place starting May 30th through June 2 with events taking place throughout the region, culminating in their amazing live auction at Meadowood on June 1. Since it was founded in 1981 by Robert and Margrit Mondavi this event has raised over $110 million dollars for health, youth and affordable housing non-profit programs. Over 250 auction lots from wine to trips to culinary experiences are available this year with The Staglin Family serving as Honorary Chairs this year. It is an amazing weekend of wine, food and celebration, and all for a great cause. Details and registration information available here.